Sexual harassment allegations have no basis, ex-WFI chief tells Delhi court

Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Monday told a Delhi court that the allegations of sexual harassment against him accused have no basis. The BJP MP’s counsel also contended that checking the pulse rate without sexual intent is not an offense. Six women wrestlers have levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Singh. Apperaring efore Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal of the Rouse Avenue Court, Singh’s counsel said that the oversight committee was formed following tweets tagging the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Home Affairs, and that the said committee exonerated the coaches against whom allegations were leveled. Singh’s counsel emphasised that there were no written or oral allegations until the formation of the committee, and the foundation of the allegations was based on tweets. The defence also mentioned that breathing pattern checking was not mentioned in affidavits given by the complainants but was only in the complaints. The matter has now been listed for further arguments on charges on October 19. @@@